Nonpressure water heater



Nov. 11, 1941. E. G. PANKow NONPRESSURE WATER HEATER Filed May 8, 1940 2. .mm f m 4 z WP. m A -G .A z. W w Y U B W m .#WHHHHHHW w m Patented Nov. 11, 1941 r 1 f UNITED f sTATEs PATENr OFFICE] NoNPnEssUnE WATER` HEATER w w f -3 Edmund G. Pankow, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Electric &vManufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 8, 1940, serial No. 888,979

` ciaims; (C1,` .ns- 38) My invention relates to water heaters and, more particularly, to a non-pressure water heater. With non-pressure hot water tanks previously known to the art, there has been a serious op-1 erating problem of preventing dripping of water from the outlet pipe. Various unsuccessful attempts have been'made to overcome this disagreeable condition. Inasmuch as the water levelimust be maintained below the spillover line, a syphon-like outlet pipe is considered the most efcient and is generally used in combination with a pressure relief tube running from the air space above the water level to the atmosphere. This relief tube is'used to prevent the building up of air pressure, during the heating of water, so as to prevent suchwater from being forced over the syphon.` r 1 I-Iowever,` at times of continued use or fiow of water through the tank, the air in the top of the tank is forced out and water fiows from'the relief tube as well asthe outlet tube. Accordingly, the relief tube must berelatively long andhave a lower opening near the outlet tube so as to perw structure is llclosed, the flow of water into the tank is stopped. Due to the air pressure within the tanks; the water fiow lcontinues until the water level drops to the level of the upper end of the relief tube.` The flow stops momentarily until the relief tube is cleared of water, and then4 the syphonizing action starts, lowering the water level to the upper end of the Outlet pipe.. With the water beinglocated at the upper end of the outlet pipe, it is then free to overflow and drip from such pipe. This undesirable dripping action is quite frequently apparent during the continued operation of such water heaters.

`In ordergto overcome this `disagreeable action I have found that, by using thewvell known syphon` vvith asmall hole in the upper curved portion thereof in combination with a fiexiblesided water vcontainer or tank, there is a cooperative` action between such syphon and conr tainer which. permitswan inrush of air and insures'a water level below the normal =sp1l-over line -upon discontinuing a flow of water through such container. r i

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a-non-pressur-e water container or tank utilizing a syphon-type outlet having means associated therewith which will permit the ready passage of air into the tank upon Stepping the flow of water therethrough whereupon such outlet will syphon the water below the normal spillover line. i

Another object of my invention is to provide a ilexible-walled water tank havingla syphon- .like outlet pipe which cooperates with the outlet pipe to establish a water level somewhat below the spill-over point during the normal operation of such tank to prevent any dripping of the water, due either to normal expansion of water or expansion of air during the subsequent reh-eating period. l

A further object of my invention is to provid a water tank having a flexible-walled container and a syphon-like outlet tube having a relatively small aperture in the upper end which cooperates with the flexible walls to maintain a normal water level well below the overflow point to prevent any dripping thereof during the normal Figure `1 is an elevational and partial fragmentary sectional view illustrating the device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 1 illustrating the device in its various Operating positions;

Pig. 4 is an enlarged partial elevational view of a portion of the device embodying my invention; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the member shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, I show a non-pressure water heater 0 comprising an exterior housing |2, an inner water vessel or tank ll, an outlet pipe IB, an inlet valve i8, a water heating element 20, and a thermostat 22. r

The housing |2 is preferably formed of a light sheet metal into substantially a rectangular parallel-epipedal shape having an open top. r A suitable inverted dish-shaped member 24 formed of a similar sheet metal material is formed to fit over and cover the top of the housing IZ. The dish-shaped member is rigidly attached to the housing |2, say by means of screws 26. Suitable bracket-like members 28 are rigidly attached to the rear surface of the housing |2 to afford means for mounting the Water heater upon a wall or suitable supporting structure. The container or exterior housing |2 is somewhat larger than the inner water container or tank 4 to permit a suitable amount of loosely compacted insulating material 30 such as rockwool or the like to be placed therebetween. The insulating material is adapted to insulate the Water tank |4 from the outer housing |2 and to prevent the loss of heat therethrough in a well known manner.

The inner vessel or tank |4 is likewise formed into substantially a rectangular parallelepipedal shape. Hovvever, the water tank M is formed of, say, relatively thin sheet copper or the like, so as to have fiexible flat side portions. It is to be understood that while such side portions are fiexible, they have sucient strength to support and retain the quantity of water adapted to be positioned therein. The water tank M is supported upwardly from the bottom portion of the housing 12 by means of suitable Z-shaped brackets 32 or the like. This construction permits the insulating material 36 to be equally p'ositioned about all sides of the tank Ill to adequately insulate it.

The outlet pipe HS comprises a syphon-like end portion 34 located at the upper end thereof, and an outwardly extending faucet portion 35 located at the outer end thereof. The pipe |6 is adapted to extend substantially vertically within the Water tank M and the syphon portion thereof is adapted to be located relatively near the top of such tank. The pipe 16 is formed of any suitable material such as copper tubing, or the like.

A relatively small aperture 36 is formed within the upper portion of the syphon-like end portion 34 of pipe |6 to cooperate with the flexible side portions of the water tank M, as hereinafter described. The aperture 36 is substantially in line with or slightly above the spill-over" line B (see Fig. 1). The aperture 36 must be considerably smaller in diameter than the diameter of the outlet pipe |6 to permit said structure to function properly as hereinafter described.

The inlet valve IB is rigidly attached to the water container M by means of a suitable nipple or pipe connection 38 to permit the flow of Water into the container M from a suitable water supply, not shown. The valve IB may be of any well known structure and has an Operating handle 40 to permit an operator to selectively open or close such valve.

The water heating element 26 is, in this instance, a U-shaped tubular mmersion-type heating element which is operatively associated with a suitable electrical power supply (not shown) through the flexible cord 2| and plug 23. However, such heater may be of any other desired or suitable structure which is capable of maintaning a desired temperature of the water retained Within the tank |4.

The 'thermostat 22 may be of any desired type which is capable of maintaining a desired temperature of the water therein. In other words, the thermostat is electrically associated with the heating element 20 and is adapted to selectively energize and deenergize such heating element so as to maintain any desired average temperature aaea'ios of the Water, in accordance with a familiar practice. The thermostat 22 is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 as being positioned against the side walls of tank |4. However, it may be located in any desired position so to maintain the desired water temperature.

During the operation of the water heater the normal level of the Water retained within the tank Ill is substantially within the zone indicated by horizontal lines A and B (see Fig. 1). When it is desired to drain off or obtain a portion of heated water from the heater IO, the' valve IB is opened whereupon cold water enters the tank |4. The upper level of the water within the tank 14 is then raised due to such inrush of water through inlet pipe 38. As the level of the water raises, the air in the upper portion of the tank |4 is forced out through aperture 36 and down through pipe I 6. As the water continues to enter1 the tank |4, the water level continues to rise until it reaches the spill-over" line B (see Fig. 1) at which time the water will begin to flow through the outlet pipe 16. With the continued inrush of water the aperture 36 becomes completely covered preventing the escapement of air therethrough. However, the water continues to rise within the tank M, compressing the air remaining above the level of the aperture 36. This air is compressed until there is a steady flow of water through the tank I 4 or, in other words, until the quantity of water leaving the tank is equal to that entering the tank.

The relatively fiat side walls of the tank |4 are then expanded or bulged outwardly due to the increased pressure within such tank. This outward bulging of the tank side walls is illustrated by dotted lines C in Fig. 3.

After having discharged the desired quantity I of hot water from the water tank Ill, the valve |8 is closed by the operator. The flow of water into the tank M is stopped. However, the flow of water out through the outlet pipe l6 continues. This outward fiow of water continues because the compressed air within the upper portion of the tank lt expands, forcing such water out through the pipe |6. As the water level lowers and reaches the aperture 36 in the syphonlike portion 34 of pipe |6, the pressure within the tank IG is substantially equal to the atmospheric pressure. The side walls of the tank |4 are then substantially fiat or in their normal position. i

However, when the water reaches such a level the syphon begins to function, syphoning the water out of the tank Ill. This action produces a vacuum on the tank until the weight of the water column within the outlet pipe plus the absolute pressure of the entrapped air Within the tank M are equal to the atmospheric pressure, at which time the flow of water out through the outlet pipe ceases. The aperture 36, being relatively small with respect to the diameter of the outlet pipe E6, does not break the syphon action.

The flexible walls of tank Ill will be concaved or partially collapsed inwardly due to the vacuum' developed within the tank |4 during the syphoning of the water out of such tank. This inward position is illustrated by dotted lines D in Fig. 3. The Water level will at this time be higher for a given quantity of water within such tank than it would normally be if such side walls were parallel to each other or in their normal position.

As the flow stops due to the equalizing of pressures as hereinbefore described, the outlet pipe is cleared of water. This permits air to be admitted to the tank, by way of the aperture 36, returning the pressure therein to that of the atmosphere. The walls of the container are thus free to return to their normal (solid-line) position. Accordingly, inasmuch as when the water ceased flowing out of the outlet pipe, the walls were concaved inwardly, and inasmuch as the volume of such water remains constant when such walls return to their normal or parallel position, the upper level of the water drops to its normal position substantially below the spillover line B, to a point within the zone indicated by such line B and line A, (see Fig. l).

It is, therefore, obvious that the flexible side walls of the tank |4 functioning in combination With the cooperative action of the aperture 36 reduces the volume of the water retained Within the tank or container just prior to the stopping of the syphoning action, and upon returning to their normal positions automatically lower the level of such water upon the stoppng of such syphoning action. It is further obvious that due to the structure embodying my invention, a nonpressure water tank will be free of any dripping action without the need of a relief tube due to the cooperative action between such fiexible sides and apertured syphon-like outlet pipe embodying my invention.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A water heater including a tank having upstanding sides and an outlet pipe, said outlet pipe having a syphon-like end disposed within the tank with an aperture positioned` in the upper portion thereof, at least one side of said tank being flexible so as to cooperate With the aperture to maintain a normal water level below that otherwise obtainable-by said syphon-like outlet pipe.

` 2. A non-pressure water tank comprsing a flexible-walled container, an Outlet pipe having a syphon-like end disposed within the tank and having an aperture positioned within the upper portion of the pipe to permit the passage of air into such tank, said flexible Walls cooperating with the pipe to aid in the flow of Water from the tank and to maintain the levelof water therein below the overflow position when the flow v of water through the container is discontinued.

3. In a non-pressure water heater including a rectangularly shaped container having flexible sides, an outlet pipe having a syphon-like end matically moving towards a normal flat condition i to lower the level of the Water upon the stopping `of such syphoning action.

4. In a non-pressure water heater including a rectangularly shaped container having flexible sides, an outlet pipe having a syphon-like end disposed within the container with a relatively small aperture positioned in the upper portion thereof, and means for connecting such tank to a water supply, the level of the Water being above the aperture during the normal flow of water through the container at which time said container side walls expand outwardly, such water level beginning to drop upon discontinuing the flow of Water into the tank until it reaches the aperture at which time the syphoning action be-i gins, the side walls then concaving inwardly until the flow of water through the Outlet tube is stopped to admit air to the container, whereupon the side walls automatically expand out to their normal position lowering the level of the water to prevent any dripping thereof.

5.In a Water heater, a container having a flexible wall, outlet means having an apertured syphon structure atone end disposed within said container, and means for connecting said conflexible wall portion, outlet means having a syphon structure with an air-passing aperture positioned above the normal spill-over level in said container, and means for connecting said container to a liquid supply, the fiexible wall portion moving inwardly in response to a partial vacuum caused by the syphoning action of said syphon structure at the end of a discharge of liquid through said outlet means, thereby to reduce the volume of liquid retained in said container, said flexible wall portion then automatically moving towards a normal position as air enters the container through said outlet means and apertured syphon structure thereby to lower the level of the liquid below said spill-over level.

EDMUND G. PANKOW.` 

